Northern Irish bakery on course to increase sales overseas

Portadown-based wholesale business Kitchen Bakes is on target to increase cross-border sales by 50% as it celebrates 30 years in business.

The family-run bakery, which specialises in desserts, traybakes and frozen products, is hoping to secure a greater section of the UK’s £2.3bn bakery export market.

In addition, the firm is also exploring options to look into the Middle East’s growing popularity for traditional bakery products.

The bakery employs 25 people, functions out of a 5,000sq ft facility and produces 650,000 products annually for customers including Musgrave, Hendersons, Costcutters and Nisa.

Kitchen Bakes managing director Stephen McCullough told the Belfast Telegraph: “Building upon successes with independent outlets in the Republic of Ireland, Kitchen Bakes has now secured contracts with larger foodservice providers. As a result, we expect Irish sales to grow by 50% this year, our 30th in business.”

In January, bakery exports from Ireland increased by over 35% in 2015 and are now valued at around €185 million.